Photo credits: RCE Penang

RCE Penang recently held seminars focusing on the themes of the SDGs, Ethics and Celebrating Diversity. The first was held at the end of June 2018, in collaboration with the School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia and RCE Tongyeong.

Local school teachers from Tongyeong city were led through a workshop which aimed to lead the teachers to be agents of change for the SDGs through ESD. Teachers are key in order to drive ESD pedagogical practice, and thus being equipped with the skills and knowledge to nurture and foster this is paramount. Workshop activities were specifically designed to help teachers in dealing with issues associated with cultural diversities and developing a sense of autonomy throughout the ESD process.

The second seminar was held in early July 2018, in collaboration with the School of Educational Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia and Gyeongsang National University (GNU) Jinju. This event provided an opportunity for academic networking and research collaboration, focusing on ethics across disciplines to provide an understanding of shared values from different cultures when dealing with diversity (SDGs 16 and 17).

As active agents of social change, it is important for educational practitioners including policymakers, researchers, lecturers and students at the HEI level to develop a proper understanding of how to implement ESD practices in education both now and in the future. Postgraduate students and lecturers from both universities shared their perspectives with the event opening up the path for further research and collaboration in the future.